Good afternoon comrades, and welcome to Republik of Mancunia’s Live Blog coverage of Manchester United v Sunderland at Old Trafford. On paper, this is one of the kinder fixtures left to play this season, but with the pressure on to secure a top four place, will the reds be able to hold their nerve?

An excruciating defeat at the Liberty Stadium last weekend now leaves Manchester United in a precarious position in their attempts to regain Champions League football at the first time of asking. Having looked relatively sub-standard for some time whilst still grinding out positive results, ironically it was a more improved showing from Louis van Gaal’s [...]

Louis van Gaal feels that United were unlucky against Swansea today, after dominating the game but losing 2-1. Of course you can say we dominated the game but the only thing we could have done more was score more out of the chances we created. Today we were the unlucky team. I think we created [...]

A somewhat improved –albeit not spectacular – performance over Preston North End see’s United through to the Quarter-Final of the FA Cup where a tricky home tie with Arsenal lies in waiting. Focus instead shifts back to the Premier League this weekend, with a trip to South Wales in an attempt to tie down Champions [...]

It can be taxing work being a young footballer. While clubs like Manchester United can give trainees the best possible platform and highest tuition for them to make a success of their career, the players themselves are required to work effortlessly to prove they offer more than just potential. On some occasions – perhaps at [...]

As we begin to enter the business end of the season, with important games coming thick and fast, it’s important for United to kick into next gear, starting with a tricky FA Cup fifth round away tie at Deepdale. In truth, things are nowhere near as depressing for United as most would have you believe, [...]

After Tuesday’s victory over Cambridge secured United’s passage into the fifth round of the FA Cup – where Louis van Gaal has all but promised success – attention once again turns back to the Premier League and the quest to secure Champions League football for next season. That victory, albeit at home, saw United score [...]

Call it what you will, a spirited performance from plucky underdogs Cambridge (if that makes you feel better), or an unacceptable, shambolic Manchester United performance. Either way, the outcome remains the same as United’s 0-0 draw with the League Two minnows at the Abbey Stadium brings an FA Cup 4th Round replay at Old Trafford [...]